Turnbull and Trump Trade Barbs in Public War of Words

Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Donald Trump Engage in War of Words

Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and former US President Donald Trump have engaged in a public war of words, with Turnbull accusing Trump of being a "bully" and Trump responding by calling Turnbull "weak and ineffective."

The dispute began when Turnbull, in an interview with Bloomberg, said that Trump's chaotic leadership style would benefit China, to the detriment of the US. Turnbull argued that Chinese President Xi Jinping would be seen as a more attractive partner for many countries than Trump.

Trump responded to Turnbull's comments in a late-night social media post, saying that Turnbull "never understood what was going on in China" and that he was a "weak and ineffective leader." Trump also claimed that Australians agreed with him.

Turnbull responded to Trump's comments by saying that they proved his point. He said that Trump's "rude and abusive" behavior would drive countries closer to China. Turnbull also argued that being "sycophantic" towards Trump would not get a desired outcome for leaders around the world.

The dispute between Turnbull and Trump is the latest in a long line of public disagreements between the two leaders. In 2017, Trump had a heated phone call with Turnbull over a US-Australia refugee swap deal. Trump said that the deal was a "bad deal" and that accepting it would make him look like a "dope."

Turnbull was prime minister of Australia from 2015 to 2018. He did not lose office at an election but rather through an internal Liberal party spill, when he lost the leadership to Scott Morrison.